Question

Catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide about \(10^{7}\) times faster than the uncatalyzed reaction. If the latter required one year, how much time would be needed by the catalasecatalyzed reaction?

Short answer

The catalase-catalyzed reaction would take approximately 3.1536 seconds.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

Catalase accelerates the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide and it is given that it performs the reaction approximately \( 10^{7} \) times faster than the uncatalyzed reaction. We need to determine the time required for the catalase-catalyzed reaction if the uncatalyzed reaction takes one year.

Identify the Given Information

The uncatalyzed reaction takes 1 year. The speed of the catalase-catalyzed reaction is \( 10^{7} \) times faster.

Calculate the Time for the Catalase-Catalyzed Reaction

If an uncatalyzed reaction takes 1 year, the time required for the catalase-catalyzed reaction can be obtained by dividing the time for the uncatalyzed reaction by \( 10^{7} \): \[ \frac{1 \text{ year}}{10^{7}} \]

Simplify the Calculation

Evaluate \[ \frac{1 \text{ year}}{10^{7}} = 10^{-7} \text{ years} \]

Convert to a More Understandable Unit

Convert \(10^{-7}\) years to seconds: \[10^{-7} \text{ years} \times 31,536,000 \text{ seconds/year} = 3.1536 \text{ seconds} \]

Key concepts

Catalase

Catalase is a vital enzyme present in nearly all living organisms exposed to oxygen. Catalase's primary function is to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a potentially harmful by-product of metabolic processes, into water and oxygen. This rapid breakdown is crucial since hydrogen peroxide can cause oxidative damage to cells. Without catalase, the cells would be more vulnerable to oxidative stress, affecting their efficiency and viability.

Reaction kinetics

Reaction kinetics is a field in chemistry that studies the rates at which chemical reactions occur. It involves understanding how different factors, such as temperature, concentration, and the presence of catalysts like enzymes, influence these rates. In enzymatic reactions, enzymes like catalase significantly accelerate reaction rates by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to proceed. Imagine trying to push a heavy ball up a hill—catalase essentially reduces the height of the hill, making it much easier to move the ball.

Enzyme efficiency

Enzyme efficiency refers to how effectively an enzyme speeds up a chemical reaction. Catalase is considered one of the most efficient enzymes known. It can decompose millions of hydrogen peroxide molecules per second, highlighting its exceptional catalytic power. Enzyme efficiency is quantified using measures like the turnover number (kcat) and the Michaelis constant (Km). These parameters help scientists understand and compare the effectiveness of different enzymes under various conditions. Specifically, catalase has a very high turnover number, which means it can quickly convert substrate molecules into products.

Hydrogen peroxide degradation

Hydrogen peroxide degradation is an essential process for maintaining cellular health. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a reactive oxygen species that can be detrimental if accumulated in excess. Enzymes like catalase efficiently break down hydrogen peroxide into harmless substances—water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). This process occurs at an astonishingly fast rate when catalyzed by catalase, preventing potential cellular damage and ensuring metabolic stability. In the absence of catalase, hydrogen peroxide decomposes very slowly, emphasizing the enzyme's critical role in cellular protection.